The Ten Men of Paradise Part II

In this era, we Ahmadi Muslims are extremely fortunate to be led by the blessed institution of Khilafat. Even during the last few years when the situation of the world has been unpredictable due to the COVID pandemic, Ahmadis around the world have been able to receive their beloved Khalifa’s guidance through Friday Sermons and Virtual Mulaqats. Another source of guidance has been the diaries written by respected Abid Khan sahib, Press Secretary Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who has had the honour of remaining in contact with beloved Hazuraba during this time. Presented below is an excerpt of one of these diaries with invaluable guidance from our beloved Hazuraba .

- Twitter Spaces -

In another office Mulaqat, I informed of a relatively new feature on Twitter known as ‘Spaces’. Several national Jama’ats and individual Ahmadis contacted me and mentioned that discussions were taking place on Twitter, often involving Ahmadi men and women on different issues.

Some expressed their concern that the forum was a means of increasing unnecessary social contact between unrelated Ahmadi men and women, whilst those in favour of using this service said it was simply a means of sharing information and knowledge.

Given that several people were enquiring, I presented the matter to Hazur aba during Mulaqat.

In reply, Hazuraba said:

“It may be that people are joining this forum with good intentions, such as to educate one another or to hold what they perceive to be positive discussions but they should remember that Hazrat Adamas was enticed and wrongly influenced by Satan in the name of righteousness. So, those who wish to participate in these mixed discussions or other such things should honestly assess if it is strictly essential. If they do, they should not display their photos.”

Hazuraba continued:

“Islam has taught men and women to ‘lower their gaze’ in order to protect them from dangerous situations and immorality. Often it is from a small or minor indiscretion or vice that larger vices or problems emerge. Anyway, in certain circumstances, one act may be appropriate but in different conditions the same

act may be sinful and wrong. So, context has to be taken into account and this is why it is not always appropriate for the Jama’at to give a Fatwa or for Khalifatul Masih to give an outright directive either in favour or in rejection of the matter at hand. In such circumstances, Ahmadis should look at their own conscience and act with sense and wisdom and make sure they stay within the limits and boundaries imposed by Islam.”

Hazur’ saba guidance showed how, where there are certain things that are categorically permissible or not permitted according to the teachings of Islam, there are certain issues which may not be as clear cut and context has to be considered and the potential harms and benefits should be weighed against one another.

I mentioned to Hazur aba that some people had quoted the example of Hazrat Ayeshara teaching Muslim men and felt that online discussions provided a similar means for Muslim women to educate others.

In response, Hazuraba said:

“Hazrat Ayeshara was Ummul Momineen, the mother of the believers, and the Holy Qur’an has afforded the wives of the Holy Prophetsaw a special status and testified to their righteousness. Further, Hazrat Ayesha ra would address Muslim men from behind a curtain and the Qur’an instructed the wives of the Holy Prophetsaw to be firm in their manner of speech when addressing men.”

Hazuraba continued:

“The level of virtue and righteousness of Hazrat Ayeshara was of the very highest order and an example for the believers. Where there was once an allegation of impropriety made against her, Allah the Almighty Himself gave witness to her truth and nobility. If Ahmadi women reach her status and standards of spirituality and righteousness then, by all means, they are free to teach and address men as she did. So, all our actions should be based on wisdom and after the consequences are considered, rather than immediately following the latest worldly trends.”

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THE TEN MEN OF PARADISE

(Part 2 of the series on the Ashra Mubashra) | By Naila Tahir

What is meant by the term Ashra Mubashra?

Ashara in Arabic means 10 and ‘Mubashra’ means good news or glad tidings.1

The Ashra Mubashra were ten pious companions of the Holy Prophetsaw who were foretold the news by the Holy Prophetsaw in their lifetime that they would enter paradise after death.

“And whoso obeys Allah and this Messenger of His shall be among those on whom Allah has bestowed His blessings, namely, the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs, and the Righteous. And excellent companions are these.” (Holy Qur’an 4:70)

Of whom is the Ashra Mubashra comprised of?

The narration pertaining to these ten companions is recorded by Ahmad (1/193) and At-Tirmithee (no. 3747). ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn ‘Awf (radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Prophetsaw said:

ةنلا ف فوع نب نمحرلا دبعو ةنلا ف ريبزلاو ةنلا ف ةحلطو ةنلا ف نامثعو ةنلا ف يلعو ةنلا ف رمعو ةنلا ف ركب وبأ ةنلا ف حارلا نب ةديبع وبأو ةنلا ف ليفن نب ورمع نب ديز نب ديعسو ةنلا ف صاقو يبأ نب دعسو

‘Abu Bakr is in Paradise, ‘Umar is in Paradise, ‘Uthman is in Paradise, ‘Ali is in Paradise, Talhah is in Paradise, AzZubair is in Paradise, ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn ‘Auf is in Paradise, Sa’d Ibn Abee Waqqaas is in Paradise, Sa’eed Ibn Zayd Ibn ‘Amr Ibn Nufayl is in Paradise, and Abu ‘Ubaydah Ibn Al-Jarraah is in Paradise. 2

1. Hazrat Abu Bakrra 2. Hazrat Umar Farooqra 3. Hazrat Uthmanra 4. Hazrat Alira 5. Hazrat Talhara 6. Hazrat Zubair ibn-e-Awamra 7. Hazrat Abu Obaida ibn-al-Jarahra 8. Hazrat Abdul Rehman ibn-e-Aufra 9. Hazrat Saad ibn-e-Abi Waqasra 10. Hazrat Saeed ibn-e-Zaidra

Some details about the lives of Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umar Farooqra, Hazrat Uthmanra and Hazrat Alira were covered in Part 1 of this series in Issue 37. We will now continue on with the next three members of the Ashra Mubashra.

1 https://szshaikh.wordpress.com/2018/11/22/ashra-mubashra-the-ten-blessed-companions/ 2 Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Book 49 (The Chapters on Virtues), Hadith 4112.